THREE of Kent Cricket Club's former overseas players experienced contrasting fortunes in a hectic week of behind the scenes action on the international stage.

Following his recent retirement from Test and one-day cricket, Kent’s overseas star of 1995 Aravinda de Silva has been named one of three new selectors to the Sri Lankan Test team.

Meanwhile, the man De Silva stood in for at St Lawrence that season, Carl Hooper, 36, has fallen on his sword as West Indies skipper, to be replaced at the helm by 33-year-old Brian Lara.

The veteran of 102 Tests and 227 one-day internationals, Hooper was bitterly disappointed by the West Indies first round exit at The World Cup and is struggling to shake off persistent knee problems.

Another player on the casualty list is Kent’s popular pro from 2000, Rahul Dravid, who has written to the Indian Board of Control asking to be released from the squad to play in the forthcoming Dhaka Tournament.

The elegant right-hander blames a finger injury.

Pre-season fixtures: Thursday, April 3 and Friday, April 4: Sussex v Kent (Hove). Monday, April 7: Kent v Surrey (Canterbury), Thursday April 10 and Friday, April 11: Kent v Gloucestershire (Canterbury). Monday, April 14: Old Kent v Kent. Wednesday, April 16: Kent v Kent Cricket Board (Canterbury). Friday, April 18 to April 20: Cambridge University v Kent (Fenner’s).